The path guided them deep into unfamiliar territory.
After hours of travel, the group finally arrived at a vast open area surrounded by towering cliffs.
At the center stood an ancient structure—half arena, half ruin.
Ki looked around, impressed.”This place… feels different.”
Butterfly didn’t slow down.”Of course it is.
This isn’t just a location.”
She stepped forward.
“It’s a training ground.”
Ut 2 narrowed her eyes.”…And a battlefield.”
Butterfly smirked slightly.”Good.
At least you’re not completely useless.”
Ut 2’s expression darkened—but she said nothing.
The System Awakens
As soon as they stepped into the area—
The ground trembled.
Symbols lit up across the arena floor.
A deep, mechanical voice echoed through the space:
“Participants detected.””Trial Mode Activated.”
Tru blinked.”…Trial mode?”
Ki’s eyes widened.”This is… some kind of ancient system!”
Butterfly crossed her arms.”Tch.
So it’s one of those places.”
Ut 2 stepped forward, staring at the glowing symbols.
“What kind of trial?”
The voice continued:
“Two Phases Required.””Training.
Combat.”
A pause.
Then—
“Only those who pass may proceed.”
The marked location on the map suddenly glowed brighter.
Ki whispered,”So this… is the path to Ut 7.”
Butterfly turned away slightly.”Or a trap.”
Phase 1 – Training
The arena shifted.
Walls rose.
Targets appeared.
Training dummies—each radiating energy—stood in rows.
“Phase One: Strength Calibration.”
Ki stepped forward first.”Let me try.”
He activated his device, striking a dummy—
BOOM!
The dummy cracked, but quickly regenerated.
“Self-repair…?” Ki muttered.
Butterfly scoffed.”Too slow.”
In a flash—
She vanished.
SHING!
Her katana sliced through three dummies in a single motion.
They didn’t even have time to react.
Tru’s jaw dropped.”…That’s insane.”
Ut 2 watched silently.
Then—
She stepped forward.
No weapon.
Just her fists.
Butterfly glanced sideways.”Oh?
Going barehanded again?”
Ut 2 ignored her.
She inhaled slowly.
Then—
BOOM!
Her punch shattered the first dummy completely.
A shockwave followed.
The second dummy cracked.
Exploded.
Silence filled the arena.
Butterfly’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“…Not bad.”
Ut 2 turned.
“…I don’t need a sword.”
Butterfly smirked.
“Yeah?”
She lifted her katana slightly.
“And I don’t need to try.”
The tension between them rose instantly.
The system responded.
“Increasing difficulty.”
More dummies appeared.
Faster.
Stronger.
Ut 2 moved quickly, her fists striking with precision.
But—
She was getting pushed back.
Butterfly, meanwhile—
Moved like a ghost.
Clean.
Efficient.
Untouchable.
Ut 2 gritted her teeth.
Why… is she still so much faster…?
Butterfly suddenly appeared behind her.
“Your movements are predictable.”
Ut 2 turned—
Too slow.
Butterfly’s blade stopped just inches from her neck.
“…!”
“Dead,” Butterfly said calmly.
Ut 2 froze.
Her fists tightened.
“…Again.”
Butterfly raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
Ut 2 stepped back into position.
“I said—again.”
For a moment—
Butterfly stared at her.
Then smiled.
“Fine.”
They clashed.
Ut 2 attacked first—
Fast.
Aggressive.
Butterfly dodged effortlessly.
Countered.
Again and again.
Ut 2 couldn’t land a single clean hit.
Finally—
Butterfly tapped her shoulder lightly with the back of her blade.
“…You lose.”
Ut 2 stepped back, breathing heavily.
Her eyes burned.
“…Why?”
Butterfly tilted her head.
“Why what?”
“Why are you so much stronger?”
A pause.
Butterfly’s expression changed—just slightly.
“Because I’ve already lost.”
Ut 2 frowned.
Butterfly looked away.
“You think strength comes from talent?”
She scoffed.
“No.”
Her grip on the katana tightened.
“It comes from not having anything left to lose.”
Silence.
Ut 2 didn’t respond.
But something in her eyes shifted.
Phase 2 – Combat Trial
The system activated again.
“Phase Two: Combat Initiation.”
The ground split open.
Creatures emerged—
Not beasts.
Not machines.
Something in between.
Ki stepped back.”These things… are way stronger than before!”
Tru clenched his fists.”Everyone, stay together!”
Butterfly stepped forward.
“No.”
She pointed her blade.
“We fight alone.”
Ut 2 looked at her.
“…Trying to prove something?”
Butterfly smirked.
“Always.”
The creatures charged.
Ut 2 moved first—
Her fists collided with the first enemy—
CRACK!
But this time—
It didn’t go down.
It hit back.
Hard.
Ut 2 slid back several meters.
Butterfly watched.
“…Now you’re learning.”
Ut 2 stood up slowly.
Blood at the corner of her mouth.
She smiled.
“…Good.”
They fought side by side—
But never together.
Butterfly cut down enemies with precision.
Ut 2 smashed through them with raw force.
Two completely different styles.
Two completely different philosophies.
And neither one willing to back down.
As the last enemy fell—
The system spoke again:
“Phase Two Complete.”
A path opened deeper into the ruins.
Toward Ut 7.
Ut 2 wiped the blood from her lip.
“…I’m not losing to you.”
Butterfly sheathed her blade.
“Good.”
She turned slightly.
“Because I don’t plan to hold back next time.”
Ut 2 smirked.
“…Same.”
Behind them—
The others watched in silence.
Ki whispered,
“…This is going to get intense.”